Are the Parts Bigger Than the Whole?

     We could write a thousand books (if we haven’t already) about the myriad problems facing the education of our children. In fact, we have been trying to address these issues for decades. The No Child Left Behind Act was enacted in 2000, and the Every Student Succeeds Act followed in 2015. We have made a little progress from the 1970s, when average scores in math and reading were barely above a basic level.

     As a nation, we’ve been trying to fix all the individual problems that come up. We’re fixing leaks one by one, but we never get to the real issue. Fixing one leak only causes another to pop up, possibly caused by our attempts to fix the first problem.

     We’re stuck in a vicious cycle. We spend our time talking about the issues: broken families, foster care, homeless students, Common Core, the new math, etc… But the needle is not moving.

    There are countless issues affecting our students' education. Until the teaching profession becomes a viable career choice, the education world will not attract the “best of the best”. In the meantime, there are areas of improvement for both teachers and our school system as a whole. Obviously, what we are currently doing is not working.

     Simply put, everyone—teachers, principals, school boards, and superintendents—needs to change our mindsets on education. On this note, I introduce the Magic Mindset—a new way of looking at our educational goals and how we strive to achieve them. Again, I remind you—what we have been doing for the past three or four decades isn’t working. Just look around…

     Now, we can’t fix our principals, school boards, fellow teachers, etc. The only person we can fix is ourselves. With a Magic Mindset, you will be setting the stage… lighting a spark… and starting a chain reaction.  But first, a little venting...


The Mounting Pressure

     Today's teachers are expected to be experts in their subject matter, adept classroom managers, behavior specialists, counselors, technology wizards, and administrative whizzes, all rolled up into one. They juggle hundreds of responsibilities every day, for comparatively low pay. On top of this, there is increasing administrative pressure for perfection and a constant demand to improve test scores. It's no surprise that teacher burnout rates are skyrocketing.

The Ripple Effect

     Teachers are leaving the profession in droves. Most school systems are so strapped for teachers that they’ll take anyone with a heartbeat. And a degree. A degree in anything. Is that good? How will these inexperienced and untrained teachers impact the education of our students? To make things worse, the shortage of teachers leads to larger class sizes, which reduces individual attention for students and a further decline in the quality of education. Moreover, with fewer people choosing teaching as a career and many current teachers quitting, we’ve created a cycle of educational decline that could take generations to reverse.

Welcome to the Machine

     Pink Floyd put it best: we need to fix the machine. For decades, we’ve been trying to fix each little problem when we really need to start fixing the machine. If you’ve forgotten, 70% of our students are not proficient in math and reading. Even worse, HALF of our kids are NOT above a BASIC LEVEL in reading and math. This isn't just a number—it's a reflection of our country's future.
     We’re reminded of this sad fact, as 80% of those in jail did not graduate from high school. What happens to those kids who can’t read or calculate basic math? Most eventually drop out of school. Some might graduate with a 1.1 GPA or a certificate of some sort.

     These are more than just statistics; they are a call to action. If we continue with the same tactics, we will get the same results. A new math program isn’t going to change anything. A new reading program, more AVID strategies… school choice isn’t going to fix it either.

     If nothing changes, we are not only leaving half of our students behind but also contributing to a cycle of failure that stretches far beyond the classroom. Just look around.
Actions Speak Louder than Words

     It’s time for us to take action and change our approach to education. For decades, we've faced the same issues, but the needle isn't moving.

     There are two key components to consider: making teaching a competitive career choice, and secondly, changing our overall approach to teaching.

     The first, which is beyond my control, is that teacher pay must increase if we want to make teaching a competitive career choice. If we want highly qualified teachers to shape the future of America, teaching needs to be a viable and appealing career option. Teacher pay should be congruent with the endless duties and responsibilities we discussed earlier.

     Think about this for a minute or two. What’s ONE thing that would have the biggest impact on the future of OUR society? Our government spends hundreds of billions of dollars around the globe, day after day. Wouldn’t that money be better used to educate our youth? Whether it’s reading, writing, trade schools, or college prep.

     Wait a second... You say we've already been throwing money at this problem? Well, yes, but we’re sending the money in the wrong direction. Most “extra funding” goes to new curriculum programs, professional development programs, and new technology. Teacher pay is at the bottom of the list.
     Teacher pay isn't comparable to working 60 hours a week with a never-ending list of duties and responsibilities. If a teacher’s salary were equal to that of a doctor or lawyer, what would happen? Everyone would want to be a teacher! Because doctors don’t get summers off.

     And guess what? If everyone wanted to become a teacher, there wouldn't be any more teacher shortages, that’s for sure. Schools across the country would set high standards for who they hire. This would have such a positive impact on student outcomes.

     Sadly, we know nothing significant happens in politics. And that’s where the money lies…

     We might not influence legislation much, but we can make a big difference in our own little world. Ultimately, the only person you can change is YOU.

     The second option, which is within every teacher's control, is to shift our mindset from being a stressed-out “teacher” to becoming a student-centered “facilitator” of learning. This transformation is where the “Magic Mindset” comes into play. Stay tuned for more on that.

     Enter “The Magic Mindset”.


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